![ZTF image sequences of 3I before and after perihelion. Panel (a) shows the pre-perihelion images, and panel (b) shows the post-perihelion images. The observation time is marked in each panel. The white scale bars indicate angular distances of 30′′ in panel (a) and 60′′ in panel (b). All images are oriented with north up and east to the left. The cyan arrows labeled ⊙, −⊙, and −v indicate the projected solar, anti-solar, and anti-velocity directions, respectively, and the cyan cross marks the photometric center. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Dust-Activity.png?resize=1200%2C719&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] We present Zwicky Transient Facility observations of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to characterize its dust-activity evolution before and after perihelion.
dust
Posted inAstrochemistry
Chemical Diversity Of Dense Cores In Orion B: The Role Of The Environment
[Astronomy & Astrophysics] Context. Pre-stellar cores are the sites of the earliest stages of star formation. Dust continuum observations are often used to identify and characterise their properties yet only […]
Posted inAstrochemistry
Astrochemistry: Dust And Water Spotted Close To A Giant Black Hole
[ESA]. Using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, an international team of astronomers have discovered that dust and water can form and survive surprisingly close to the supermassive black hole […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Growing Planets Produce Extreme Dust Signatures
[astro-ph.EP] Collisions between planetary bodies are essential to the assembly of rocky planets like the Earth, but they are extremely difficult to observe. We therefore rely on indirect signatures of […]
Posted inMars
MEDaL-1 Mars Lander Science Definition Team
[ESA] Join the Science Definition Team (SDT) to help define the Exploration Science Payload for a proposed future Mars lander: MEDaL-1. Full announcement
Posted inMars
Martian Dust Storms May Ggenerate Atmospheric Electrical Conditions That Could Impact Mars Missions
[UAH] A new study by a doctoral researcher at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, suggests global dust storms on Mars […]
Posted inEuropa, Meteorites & Asteroids, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Earth As A Potential Source Of Llife For Europa’s Subsurface Ocean
The paper discusses the possibility of dust particles containing living bacteria ejected from Earth reaching Europa and landing on its surface.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report
Dust Colour, Phase Behaviour, And Monte Carlo Modelling Of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS From 4 au Pre- to 4 au Post-Perihelion
We report multi-band photometric imaging observations and Monte Carlo dust tail modelling of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS covering a wide range of heliocentric distances, from about 4 au pre-perihelion to […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Desert Worlds, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Status Report
Global Evolution Of Electric Fields During Planet Encircling Dust Storms On Mars
Planet-encircling dust storms fundamentally reshape Martian weather and the near-surface electrostatic environment.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Status Report, Venus
Cosmic Dust Identified As The Source Of Venus’ Enigmatic Lower Haze
Venus, often called Earth’s twin, is in fact a planet of extremes. Beneath its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere lie crushing surface temperatures and dense clouds of sulfuric acid. While the […]